If the parasite finds a human instead, it can cause swimmer’s itch. When the water temperature rises, the parasites are released from the snails to go in search of their new bird or mammal host to infect. Over the next three to four weeks, it grows into the second stage of the parasite, which is colorless and very small, so you can’t see them. This first stage swims around until it finds and burrows into a snail. When the poop enter the water, the eggs hatch into the first life stage of the parasite. Infected waterfowl poop contains eggs of the parasite. Waterfowl, such as ducks or geese, are a common source of the parasite and should be kept away from swimming beaches. You cannot get swimmer's itch by swallowing water. Children are more likely to have swimmer’s itch than adults because they are more likely to air dry or spend more time close to shore where the parasite tends to be. These parasites are released from infected snails into fresh and salt water (such as lakes, ponds, and oceans). The dead remains of the parasite under the skin are what cause people to have the allergic reaction we call swimmer’s itch.Īnyone can get swimmer's itch. Swimmer’s itch, also called cercarial dermatitis, appears as a skin rash caused by an allergic reaction to certain microscopic parasites that infect some birds and mammals. Air drying gives the parasite time to burrow into the skin. Others have considerable pain, fever, severe itching, and swelling. This can happen when someone air dries after being in water where the parasite is living. Swimmers itch is caused by the larvae (immature stage) of certain flatworms that can be picked up while swimming. The parasites are unable to live in a human and soon die. People get swimmer’s itch when the parasites burrow into their skin.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |